“This time of year stresses me out. I try so hard for that not to happen. I start chanting to myself around the middle of November, “I won’t get stressed at Christmas…I won’t get stressed…”
Maybe it’s just my personality, maybe it’s not. But the lists–the many different lists–the gift list, the card list, the food list, the dates and traveling–the lost shoes which make me shudder at the thoughts of going anywhere with more than just ourselves (a family our size needs a full day just to get properly dressed)–it all crowds in on my brain and makes me feel like a crazy person, leaving me half in a daze and half in a panic for the last two weeks before Christmas. I can’t recall words when I’m trying to talk, I forget important things and I keep a stomach ache. Sometimes I pace the floor knowing I’m supposed to be doing something and unable to recall what it is.
Then I get upset with my condition because I know this is not what Christmas should be. I know it, yet I don’t know how to change it. I LOVE giving gifts, so don’t think me a Scrooge…I just can’t keep the stress at bay.
All that has only slightly to do with the following story…just so you know.
Anyway, I had been planning for weeks to make peanut brittle for the neighbors. Simple enough. I thought. It took me half a day. And at the end, everything was sticky, we all had sugar highs from trying each batch, and none of the brittle could be given. It could only barely be eaten, and my children were grateful to try.
A lot went wrong Monday, and at the end of it, I was just plain sad. I was pouting (I know, I better not pout), I was tired, I went to bed with the same to do list I got up with and I was frustrated.
But by morning, my optimism had returned and I was determined to make the best of the situation. I decided for sure I would not try to scramble around and make something else or run out to buy gifts–that would add more stress and at all costs, I would avoid that. I love my neighbors, and I did want to show them that, but none of them would hold the lack of a gift against me.
So shortly after I woke up the next day, I penned these words and copied them onto Christmas stationery to deliver…you may use them too if you ever have a similar experience 
Christmas is Not About Peanut Brittle
By Kelly Crawford
‘Twas the month before Christmas and all through the stores, it had already started–the shopping sale wars.
While the rich and the poor were accruing more debt, my Thanksgiving turkey hadn’t digested yet!
But I soon joined the ranks of Christmas-rush shoppers, checking my list against all the best offers.
But for my dear neighbors, I had a good plan, I would cook up a treat–something sweet, something grand.
I waited til closer to Christmas to start,“It needs to be fresh”, I thought (’cause I’m smart).
So a few days before, I waltzed to the kitchen, donned my best apron, asked the children to pitch in.
I was giddy and gay, started cooking with glee, (I should have known better than a new recipe).
Measuring carefully–cook just a little, it can’t be that hard to make peanut brittle!
It poured out nicely on the big, shiny pan, so while one batch cooled, I started again.
Five batches later–peanut brittle galore, too excited to care about the mess on the floor.
I said to the children, “Are you ready to taste?” no time for a drum roll, we gobbled in haste!
At first it seemed perfect but then, “something’s wrong”…I realized I’d chewed this stuff far, far too long.
I looked at their faces, they were trying to smile, but the smiles started fading after chewing awhile.
Oh dear, it can’t be! The brittle had flopped–the chewing had started but it just wouldn’t stop!
I wanted to cry, but that wouldn’t have helped, the kids tried to cheer me–they knew how I felt.
“Well, Mom, you could call it ‘Peanut Taffy’ instead’. I just looked at the mess and kept shaking my head.
And then, like a voice whispered low in my ear, “Christmas is not about brittle, my dear….
It’s about taking time to reflect on the birth of the greatest of all the gifts on the earth.
It’s about giving love to all those around, the miraculous love that can only be found
In a heart where He reigns–a life that’s set free, this is the gift He gave to you and to me.”
So while I have come with no gift in my hands, (I’ll try not to fret about unfulfilled plans)
But ask that our friendship suffice for this year, and the love of Christ Jesus draw us ever more near.
Related posts:
- My Tips for a More Peaceful/Frugal Christmas Season
- Great Christmas Gift Set
- Frugal Christmas and Blessings in Disguise
- The Christmas Jar: Original Story
- The Benefits of a Large Family-V
Christmas, humor | Word Warrior | 
December 23, 2009 8:19 am 
I can totally relate Kelly. I was fine until Monday morning and then the stress started to kick in. I also had two pans of peanut butter fudge that failed to set Monday.
Charming – your neighbors will get a kick out of this!
Merry Christmas Kelly.
If I were your neighbor, I’d like the poem better than the brittle. (and I LOVE peanut brittle!)
Thanks for sharing! The pictures of ya’ll with your peanut taffy are cute!
that STILL looks yummy. i NEEDED this kelly, thank you! i cried last night, LITERALLY cried, because i was running out of time to make peppermint bark, and the cat was in the tree, again, messing it up… and the list goes on. when did i let the ‘fun extras’ become the priorities? since when does melting chocolate and smashing candy canes become something i HAVE to do? i was still a little wound up this morning… but i think this poem will go on my fridge for a smile while i re-set my priorities. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOUR WHOLE ENTIRE GIANT AWESOME FAMILY AND BLESSINGS THROUGH THE WHOLE YEAR!!!!!!!!
I love it (the poem and your thoughts) and I’m sure I’d equally love that peanut taffy!
The poem was awesome. There is a microwave peanut brittle recipe on Cooks.com that you could try next year, but I like Kim M. would love the poem more than the Taffy… =) Merry Christmas to you and your family Kelly. I will be praying for you and Aaron and our situations.
Kelly, that was awesome. I can identify with your feelings and frustrations, having been in similar situations, but I love how you were able to turn lemons into lemonade. And show your kids how to respond to frustration (even if it took a little while to get to that point). Hope your family has a wonderful Christmas!
I can relate. Whenever I try to make food for somebody other than my family, it comes out crummy. I have never attempted to make peanut brittle, nor have I ever attempted to make a gift of food for the neighbors! You get an A for effort, and at least your children could eat it.
Kelly, I LOVE your poetic wit.
Have you ever considered publishing a group of your poems?
Merry Christmas, Kelly!
I think it is precious…..your kids will remember more than just the peanut butter taffy, oops, I mean brittle!
I can relate to how you feel, and I think it is perfectly natural.
Here is the thing. That Christmas we all have in our heads, with the delicious food, the wonderful decorations, the gifts under the tree, and the family gathered together takes a lot of hard work. The burden of that work generally falls on wives and mothers. And people have high expectations. Of course, it is a stressful and difficult time.
I spent an entire weekend working on Christmas cards. I then spent an entire weekend decorating our tree, putting up other decorations, and wrapping all the gifts — only to have our tree crash to the ground, shattering ornaments and soaking our gifts in water as I was leaving for work. This past weekend, hubby and I spent the entire weekend food shopping — yes we made multiple trips and our pantry is overflowing. This doesn’t even count all the baking and gift shopping and menu planning we have done, not to mention making sure the house is immaculate when the family arrives tomorrow. It is a lot to handle and it is hard work. And it is work that is mainly borne by women.
Kelly, way to change your perspective! I made bundt cakes for some of my husbands co-workers and the first night of baking only one out of the 3 turned out. Eventually I had 9 good ones, but was extremely discouraged the first night. I was not, however, clever enough to make a poem. The good news is I baked for so long I cannot eat one sweet thing for the past 4 days AND I lost 7 pounds because of it! (Don’t ask how many more to go, it’s Christmas!) *WINK*
Wow! That poem is wonderful.
Kelly, you should consider grouping your poems in a volume or something. I love Christian poetry!
Thanks ladies! I haven’t given a lot of thought to the poem grouping…but I may consider!
Kelly, that was terrific. My Mom is here (she broke her leg 10 days ago and is now staying with us…talk about unfulfilled plans…lol) and I read it to her and it really touched her heart. She wanted me to tell you how much she enjoyed it! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Kelly, I meant to thank you for the Scripture CD you’re selling. I don’t own a KJV Bible, but I love reading some of the verses and I have a gorgeous KJV calendar that the CD will go perfectly with! Thank you
Having a very simple Christmas this year. My son is home from basic training. Come to my blog and see pictures (3 or 4 posts) of his graduation.
Have a blessed Christmas Kelly.
I had my best day yet today. Another mom and I took turns watching our combined children while the other mom had a turn to run last minute errands. It was awesome and all the kids had a blast. I dropped my kids off to her bright and early, and than returned by lunchtime to bring the whole brood back to my house, where they ran thru the sprinklers for about an hour and had lunch outisde (less mess for me
). The kids all ended up with a change of scenery for part of the day, and we were able to get our stuff done.
Loved your poem. The kids look like they enjoyed the peanut taffy.
Merry Christmas…Love ya!
It IS the thought that counts.
BOY, do you sound JUST LIKE ME on the holiday situation. I am SO READY for January. So stressed for weeks now. I do self-talk, etc. trying to calm myself and keep the stress at bay; it just doesn’t work. I’d like to spread it out more throughout the year. But, like you said, it’s all got to be fresh! 
I too was in tears last night over these very things I will print out your poem which is way better than taffy/brittle and stick it to my forehead! It is overwhelming what we humans try to do in our attempt to celebrate the best gift our God ever gave us. It makes me truely want to have heaven on earth and just shows plainly we can’t.
There’s safety in numbers, you know?! : ) I’m thankful I’m not the only one fretting and flitting around like crazy! I think this year with trying to be financially creative and have 7 kiddos it’s been a bit stressful. It didn’t help that every child seemed to have some sort of “fun” holiday activity at church or ballet that they were involved in. I’ve got 4 pies to bake this morning. Lift me up in prayer would ya?! : ) Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Hi Kelly,
Looks like your wanna-be peanut brittle turned taffy just didn’t cook quite long enough…to the brittle stage…when dropped into cold water immediantly cracks. But, you probably know that by now.
We are having a simplified Christmas this year due to me being all day sick with our 8th baby and having colds and sickness going around all the kids besides. I didn’t bake cookies. I’m not responsible for any Christmas Eve service music this year. No stockings. ( which cut back on shopping). Hubby and I went gift shoppoing for kids one evening and got them all 2 simple gifts. No cards. No gifts for neighbors. No family travel.
We will have a nicer breakfast on Christmas…and a relaxing day opening and enjoying their few gifts. Listening to Handel’s “Messiah” later. Nice dinner with a Christmas movie to watch later…one we’ve never seen.
Tonight is the Christmas Eve service…and it’s been wonderful to ” de-stress” even more this year. Merry Christmas to all.
Which Christmas movie is it?
ok, i re-read this, because i needed it again!!! the peppermint bark i finally got to… the chocolate would NOT melt in the double boiler… so i microwaved it… didn’t melt… BURNED!!!!! so i sent apologies to everyone and promises of a goodie when things calm down… and was told that would be appreciated… because everyone has so much sweeties anyways! but still, hurt pride… oh well… tis the season!!!!
Oh shanie! *SMILE* Isn’t it all better now?